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A TRIBUTE TO THE GENTLEMANLY ART OF DRINKING

A.S. Crockett - The Old Waldorf-Astoria Barbook. Circa 1935

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Have any Friday night dinner plans? We've got one for you. 

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For all my bartending friends. Who find it funny when people use fancy names to order simple drinks. :)

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Whiskey, The New Liquid Cleanse.

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Discover the tasting notes of our new 22-year-old American Oak single malt. http://usmacallan.tumblr.com Exclusively in the United States, The Macallan/The Flask is only sold paired with a 22-year-old American ex-sherry oak whisky.

Win The Flask at http://usmacallan.tumblr.com (Contest will close April 10, 2013, at 11:59:59 pm/EST.)

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The advanced design team from Oakley takes The Flask out for a spin. http://usmacallan.tumblr.com Exclusively in the United States, The Macallan The Flask is only sold paired with a 22-year-old American ex-sherry oak whisky.

Win The Flask at http://usmacallan.tumblr.com (Contest will close April 10, 2013, at 11:59:59 pm/EST.)

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Hear about the special batch of American Oak-aged whisky from Global Brand Director Ken Grier. http://usmacallan.tumblr.com

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Presenting the most advanced funnel in the world. http://usmacallan.tumblr.com

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Sometimes we improve details that no one ever thought were needed. Why? Why not. http://bit.ly/V8Uef8

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Two execs walk into a bar… find out what happens next at http://bit.ly/WhC8JA

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I'm outdoorsy in that I like getting drunk on patios.

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COCKTAIL SPOTLIGHT: NAREN YOUNG'S CHOCOLATE NEGRONI @ POLITE PROVISIONS

So maybe you like Negronis. Hell, maybe you like drugs. What you're probably not prepared for though, is this Negroni…that happens to be on drugs. Drugs of the really, really good kind.

I walked into Polite Provisions earlier this week with high hopes, and they did not disappoint. But they did catch me off guard with their Chocolate Negroni. In the best way.

Whenever I’m truly excited to visit a new bar for the first time, I follow a ritual: I don’t jump into the first open seat. Instead, I find a spot with a good view of the scene. Plant my feet.  I stand there, for a good minute, and observe… the interaction between purveyor and patron; the sounds; the snippets of conversations and body language spoken in the room… then I let the aesthetic of the space sink in.

Their Venetian-esque design was fantastico!  Polite Provisions isn't another cookie cutter craft bar in barburbia. White marble, gold accents, skylights, and lamp posts that look straight from the Venice streets have graciously replaced reclaimed wood, subway tiles, and an obnoxious amount of taxidermied animals (I still don't get the homage to Norman Bates). As a previous architecture major, I could go on and on and on 'til the breaka breaka dawn, but I’ll spare you the yawns and get back to the real reason for this post.

I finally took a seat next to my friends/ fellow indulgers. Within seconds, five at the most, of scanning the cocktail menu, my eyes had fixated on the this line: 

Plymouth Gin, Campari, Punt e Mes, Cacao & Chocolate Bitters. 

Love at first sight. 

I set my menu down and waited for the rest of my party to make their decisions. I had found the one.

My Chocolate Negroni arrived. The bitter chocolate hit my lips and suddenly I was a kid again. Next…the soft velvety texture of the Plymouth Gin married with the Campari and Punt e Mes (more like a threesome). The Plymouth Gin with its softer juniper notes makes a lovely base for this cocktail. Add in the Campari (it would be blasphemous not to), and leave the extra character to the Punt e Mes. A not-your-everyday Vermouth, Punt e Mes delivers a slightly more bitter note than you would expect from, say, the standard Rosso vermouth—but not as bitter as Carpano Antica. It was the right amount of bitter and finished nicely with a hint of sweet at the tail. Goldilocks would have approved.The cacao provided a harder touch at the top. I didn’t get to ask Aaron at the bar how much of the cacao the recipe actually calls for (and I wouldn’t be surprised if I didn’t get a top secret answer), but I’ll make a point to ask next time I’m enjoying one. And the bitters, well, I like me some bitters. And although I can’t confidently say that the bitters had a major impact in this cocktail, I’m sure it’s contributory properties are similar to that of salt. It’s presence not overly felt, but it’s absence leaving the subject tasteless. Maybe I’ll have to try another one without the bitters to see how different it would actually taste. 

Moral of the story: I love balanced drinks that lean on the bitter side. Maybe sometimes a bit heavy on the bitter side. Ok fine, I like a bitter fu*kin’ drink. And although this Chocolate Negroni wasn’t extremely bitter, it wasn’t designed to be. And it absolutely hit the spot. It was perfect. 

Big ups to the the gentlemen of Consortium Holdings for creating another brilliantly designed space.

And a true tip of the hat to you, Naren Young, for a delicious cocktail. Extremely. well. crafted. 

Now go enjoy a Chocolate Negroni before it’s too late. Or before I drink them all. 

- Dante @cocktailored

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President Lincoln didn't always drink liquor, but when he did, he chose Applejack.

Yes, it is Presidents Day. So in the midst of everybody enjoying a few more cocktails than they should have this holiday weekend, did anyone stop to think about what we are actually celebrating?

Presidents Day was originally set to honor "the father of our country," George Washington, on his birthday (which is actually February 22nd).

In the 60's, reformers tried to change the official name of the holiday to Presidents' Day, in order to include Abraham Lincoln's birthday (February 12th) as well. That was never passed.

So although today is commercially and widely known as Presidents' Day to honor multiple Presidents, the official title of today's holiday is actually still "George Washington's Birthday."

Now there's some knowledge to drop while you're sipping on your fifth Jack Rose cocktail (recipe below).

The Jack Rose is a classic cocktail that requires AppleJack, a favored liquor of President Lincoln. He even served it at his tavern in Illinois. Now that's a stand up guy.

THE JACK ROSE - {cock•tail}ored edition

2 parts Applejack (Laird's works nice) 1 part Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice 1/2 part REAL Grenadine*

Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

*Always make your own grenadine. There are two recipes here; the first one for a quick fix; the second for the more ambitious. We prefer recipe #2.

Grenadine Recipe #1 Combine Equal Parts Unsweetened Pomegranate Juice and Evaporated Cane Sugar into a Mason Jar. Shake it like it owes you money. 

Grenadine Recipe #2 Heat 4 cups of Unsweetened Pomegranate Juice over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add 3 cups sugar until sugar has dissolved and heat for an additional 5 minutes. Add 8 tablespoons (or 4 fl oz.) Pomegranate Molasses and heat for another 3 minutes. *If molasses is not available, add an additional 1/2 cup sugar instead. Remove from heat and let cool. Transfer to Mason Jar and add 3 drops of Orange Flower Water. Enjoy!

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The Perfect Storm

On February 7th, 1962 (exactly 51 years ago today), the United States banned all Cuban imports and exports. Why would they do that when they knew they'd be missing out on delectable cocktails such as this:

THE PERFECT STORM

2 parts Havana Club Anejo 7 Anos Rum 1/2 part Grand Marnier 1/2 part Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice 1/2 part Ginger Syrup* Splash of Orange Juice Soda Water

Combine first five ingredients into mixing glass. Shake and pour over fresh ice. Top with soda water. Garnish with a lime wedge.

*To make Ginger Syrup: Combine equal parts freshly juiced Ginger and Organic Agave Syrup. Shake vigorously. Refrigerate and store for up to one week. Agitate daily.

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The French Accent

Made this yesterday for a good friend of mine. Delicious! Hope you enjoy as well!

2 parts Hendrick's Gin 3/4 part St. Germain 1/4 part Averna 1/4 part fresh lemon juice 1/4 part simple syrup 3 Dashes Regan's Orange Bitters Garnish with an orange peel

Shake and strain into a chilled Martini glass. Drink and repeat.

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THE PASTINACA

St. Germain, Tequila, Mezcal and a touch of citrus. Sounds like heaven. Tastes even better.

Came across this masterpiece of a recipe courtesy of St. Germain and finally decided to give it a shot.

This is what the recipe calls for:

1 1/2 parts Silver Tequila 1/2 part Mezcal 1 part St Germain 1/2 part Lime Juice 3/4 part Grapefruit Juice

This is how I made it:

• I actually made two two versions of this cocktail, utilizing two of my favorite silver tequilas; Fortaleza Blanco and Casa Noble Crystal Blanco. Neither bottle will break the bank and they both have everything you look for in a great silver tequila. The Casa Noble is even certified USDA Organic for all the "healthy" drinkers out there.

1.5 oz in this cocktail

• For the mezcal, I used Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, which is also a 100% Organic Mezcal that is completely produced in a single village, allowing them to use ancient techniques to craft their mezcal. The result is an amazingly smooth mezcal that carries with a long, soft finish. Del Maguey describes their Mezcal as having "a nose of fruit aromatics, a hint of honey, vanilla and roast agave; the palate offers ginger,cinnamon, burnt sandalwood, banana and tangerine." The mezcal will add a hint of "smokyness" to your cocktail as well as accentuating and bringing out the flavors of your silver tequila. .25 oz in this cocktail

• And for the St. Germain, well, I used St. Germain. Although there are other elderflower or herbal liqueurs that can be substituted, nothing can match the elegant taste and aroma that St. Germain offers a well crafted cocktail. The St Germain will act as your sweetener in this cocktail, since the recipe doesn't call for any gomme syrup or simple syrup. If you're looking for an organic substitute, use Thatcher's Organic Elderflower Liqueur. 1 oz in this cocktail

• ALWAYS use fresh squeezed lime juice .5 oz in this cocktail

• The original recipe calls for grapefruit juice. I went ahead and used freshly squeezed Ruby Red Grapefruit for the cocktail with the Fortaleza tequila, and then opted to use Blood Orange in the cocktail with the Casa Noble. .75 oz in this cocktail 

If desired (and you should), rim your glass with a combination of sea salt, chili powder and a touch of cayenne pepper. 

Combine all of the ingredients and shake well before straining into your rimmed glass with fresh ice. 

THE RESULTS:

Two amazingly well balanced cocktails perfect for any occasion. 

Both Tequilas worked wonderfully for this cocktail and The VIDA Mezcal brought just enough "earth" to really boost the tequila flavors. Using the St. Germain as the sweetening agent provided a nice crisp balance to the spirits, offering a great aromatic quality to the drink as well. Just tart enough from the lime juice and ruby red grapefruit in one, and blood orange in the other for something a little bit sweeter. Using the sea salt, chili powder and cayenne pepper to rim the glass also took the drink to a higher level. All in all, one of my new favorites!

So here it is: The Pastinaca, {cock•tail}ored edition:

1.5 oz Casa Noble Crystal Blanco Tequila .25 oz Del Maguey VIDA Mezcal 1 oz St Germain Elderflower Liqueur      *Thatchers Elderflower for a 100% Organic cocktail .5 oz Freshly squeezed Lime Juice .75 oz Freshly squeezed Blood Orange